The Nationals designated struggling reliever Brad Lidge for assignment this morning, activating right-hander Ryan Mattheus off the 15-day disabled list to take his roster spot.

Feeling the need to add a fresh arm after yesterday's 14-inning loss to the Yankees, general manager Mike Rizzo said the Lidge/Mattheus swap made the most sense.

"Brad wasn't performing very well, and he was disappointed," Rizzo said. "Mattheus was ready to come off the rehab assignment, and we felt this was the right time to make the move."

Lidge took the loss yesterday, giving up three hits (including Mark Teixeira's two-run double) in the top of the 14th. While lamenting several groundball singles he surrendered the last couple of days, the 35-year-old also understood he wasn't performing at a high enough standard.

"It is frustrating when something like that happens, but you just try to grind through it," he said following yesterday's game. "Just keepRead more »

I know he has to be disappointed, and it's not the optimal way to end his career (unless someone else will pick him up). AND it sure was the right move for the Nationals. I know he taught the guys a lot, and I'm grateful for his presence. I wish him all the best.

Such is the life of a pro ballplayer. He had a good, long run. Sorry it didn't work out better here for him.As to Mike Rizzo and Davey Johnson, it's alway tough to make that call, but to win you gotta know when to hold them and when to fold them.

I hope whatever happens next for Lidge, it's a good thing. If he takes the DFA to 'Cuse or goes wherever, maybe he can have the time to work on his pitching and can contribute to us down the road – hopefully without giving me heartburn 😉. He was a valuable sounding board for our young relievers and I hope he knows that.

Hate to see Brad go, he appears the be a great guy. Bit this is about winning and this had to be done. To be optimistic, Ejax has thrived in these "bullpen is done so we need innings" games. Plus we did not lose any ground yesterday, were still up 4.

Had to be tough all the way around but it was the right move. Oddly, I think if Storen had not been injured Lidge might have done well in that role of 6th or 7th inning guy and there is no doubt he was a huge help to our young guys sitting out there during a game. This also helps a hugely depleted bullpen immediately. Still hoping for the EJax that goes long today and that our bats will snap out of this.Go Nats!!

I guess that Mike Gonzo is next on the DFA list when MPHRod is in line to come off the DL. It gets more difficult when Tinkerbell is ready to return. Although Davey is against doing it, at that point it may be time to swap the roster with an addional relief pitcher at the expense of a bench player.

… last year about this time, my boy Matt Stairs came to the end of the road, like maybe Brad Lidge has done today. In a radio interview this week, Matt told us he was leaving Bangor Maine, and moving back home to Canada, to my own backyard. Woo-hoo. He sounded so upbeat during the interview it was clear any notion of a let down or disappointment over the way his career ended had long since passed…. such is the way of life, and Brad Lidge will move on as well. It's a dream come true for anyone to play baseball, and to play it at the highest level in the world is beyond words. Brad will do weel wherever he winds up…. as I listened to Matt on the radio, I heard him say he is coming back home so his daughters can go to school in their chosen college. Sometimes the best Father's Day gift is the one you give to your kids.Happy Father's Day to one and all, and oh yeah …Go You Golden Nats, Go!!

I don't post often. As a long time baseball fan I must say this (blog) is one of my joys everyday.I check out the Nats home page, MASN and WaPo in that order. Last NI. The reason for that is the excellent coverage by the author and the usually excellent commentary by posters.I can disagree and/or agree with some or all of you out there, but imho the ladies for the most part have it right.Thank you MicheleS, Natslady, and all.I especially like the links to something I'd probably not see.

I thought maybe he was enjoying his first Father's Day — but I see that he posted the Lidge news.Lidge is a good guy, but he is done. Storen really admires him.Livo, Pudge, Lidge – people the Nats are no longer relying on – unheard of just a short time ago.

MicheleS said… And there will be more moves like this as people get healthy. Glad it's Rizzo/Davey making the call. June 17, 2012 1:15 PM _____________________________3 more major moves will have to occur since the 40 man is at 40. Marrero, Storen and Werth.Rizzo has to make a trade and get some value for players like Henry and Lannan. Nady will probably be a straight DFA.

Like others, I hope Lidge can maybe go to AAA and see if he can work it out. It's obvious the guy has talent, and it's not like he's 38 and DONE, just stinking right now.As for MPHRod – if I were Rizzo, I'd give him a LONG rehab stint and tell him "cut the walks out or we'll have to DFA you. You have 30 days of rehab to fix this."

I think Henry's potential gives him another few shots. When he took a little off his fastball against Baltimore, he was still unhittable and didn't walk anyone. That's such strong potential, you hate to give up on it.

Like I said….Rizzo was dumb to sign him, put him in key situations, rush him back from DL even as he was getting crushed in single A……..Rizzo gets no credit for cutting him…he cost the team several wins.

Good bye, Lidge. You are a very lucky. You got a team to pay you 1 million dollars for skills you no longer have, a team that never expected to be in the hunt to this degree.You will not be missed. But enjoy your free million bucks. Dont let the door hit you on the way out, you stink'n bum.

JayB: You are absolutely correct, except for one thing: Rizzo did not put Lidge in a position to lose to straight ball games, Davey did.Rizzo had no idea that we'd be this good so soon. I think he felt that a damaged Lidge was good enough for this year's team. LIttle did he know that Lidge is no pitcher — and certainly no pitcher for a contender.On the other hand … shame on Davey for putting him in a position to lose two ball games for us. Davey does some things very well, but Davey is prone to giving up games — Rizzo should be looking for his 2013 replacement.

Good bye, Lidge. You are a very lucky. You got a team to pay you 1 million dollars for skills you no longer have, a team that never expected to be in the hunt to this degree.You will not be missed. But enjoy your free million bucks. Dont let the door hit you on the way out, you stink'n bum.